Summaries

A group of women who are imprisoned on the island of Sumatra by the Japanese during World War II use music to relieve their misery.

The group of women from different countries and social levels are prisoners in a Japanese POW camp, where one of them, Adrienne, who is a graduate of the Royal Academy of Music, organizes a vocal band in spite of their guards resistance.—Anonymous

After the Fall of Singapore during the World War II, the last women of different nationalist and children flee in a British Navy ship. However, the ship sank by the Japanese airplanes and the survivors reach the Island of Sumatra. They are sent to a Japanese POW camp and abused by the soldiers under the command of Colonel Hirota and Captain Tanaka. Some of the women dies of diseases, especially malaria; others are murdered by the Japanese, others become whore of the Japanese officers expecting to have food, silk sheets and soaps. Most of the others, led by Adrienne Pargiter, who is graduated in the Royal Academy of Music, and the missionary Margaret "Daisy" Drummond, organize a vocal orchestra initially to sing Dvorak, to relief their situation and hunger in the camp.—Claudio Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

When the Japanese over-run Singapore in 1942 many women and children end up in prison camp. Although of different ages, nationalities and backgrounds, a bond grows up as they face the lack of food and medicine and the brutal behaviour of their captors. They even start organizing a voice orchestra using remembered musical scores painstakingly written out again.—Jeremy Perkins {J-26}

Details

Keywords
  • group
  • tied up
  • women
  • live action
  • woman tied up
Genres
  • Drama
  • History
  • War
Release date Apr 10, 1997
Motion Picture Rating (MPA) R
Countries of origin United States Australia
Language English Japanese Dutch Malay
Filming locations Penang, Malaysia
Production companies Samson Productions Pty. Ltd. Planet Pictures YTC Motion Picture Investments

Box office

Budget $16000000
Gross US & Canada $2007100
Opening weekend US & Canada $62518
Gross worldwide $2007100

Tech specs

Runtime 2h 2m
Color Color Black and White
Sound mix Dolby Digital
Aspect ratio 2.35 : 1

Synopsis

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